Boston Celtics power forward Jared Sullinger is out for the season after having back surgery on Feb. 2 to repair a lumbar disk.

But he remains high in the Celtics' plans.

The 6-foot-9, 260-pounder, the No. 21 overall selection in the 2012 NBA draft out of Ohio State, is expected to be ready for training camp in the fall.

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"We just felt that No. 1, there was nobody better than him at that point," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "If he had come out the year before, he would have been in the top five."

Rivers said the Celtics team doctor told them that he'd need surgery on his back at some point. That's one of the reasons he's lasted so long in the draft.

"(The surgery is) not career-threatening," Rivers said. "It's just surgery. We were hoping it would happen in the summertime, to be honest. He'll be fine next year. He probably won't play in summer league."

Sullinger averaged 6.0 points and 5.9 rebounds in 45 games this season.

Big loss

One of the Cavs' stats crew passed away over the weekend.

Maple Heights' John Oleksy, 66, died on Saturday of liver cancer. He had been a part of the stats crew for 40 years.

The Cavs had a moment of silence before Wednesday's game.

Not much to play for

Rivers said it's difficult for a team like the Cavs, who don't have much to play for.

"It's hard," he said. "They are young. A lot of guys are playing for their careers. The vets are also playing for their career. The key is to get them to play together."

Rivers said some players are playing for numbers, others for new contracts.

"It's a very difficult task," he said.

New center

Rivers had a new starting lineup against the Cavs. Chris Wilcox started at center in place of the injured Kevin Garnett.

"We need him to play well," Rivers said. "It's important to our team, even when Kevin comes back.

"He's a rebounder. He runs the floor. You can see with his eyes if he's playing well."

Rivers decided to go with his new lineup, which also included Brandon Bass at power forward, Jeff Green at small forward and Paul Pierce at shooting guard, because of the Cavs' size.

Quick shots

-- Scott turns 52 on Thursday.

-- Home games for the Cavs and Indians overlap only twice. The Cavs have home games vs. Detroit on April 10 and New York on April 12. The Tribe plays on the same nights vs. New York and the Chicago White Sox, respectively.